Identification, presence, and possible multifunctional regulatory role of invertebrate gonadotropin-releasing hormone/corazonin molecule in the great pond snail (Lymnaea stagnalis)

• Published in: General and comparative endocrinology 2020-12, Vol.299, p.113621-113621, Article 113621
• Main Authors: Fodor, István, Zrinyi, Zita, Horváth, Réka, Urbán, Péter, Herczeg, Róbert, Büki, Gergely, Koene, Joris M., Tsai, Pei-San, Pirger, Zsolt
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Base Sequence; cDNA sequencing; Central Nervous System - metabolism; Cloning, Molecular; GnRH/CRZ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone - genetics; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone - metabolism; Great pond snail; Insect Proteins - genetics; Insect Proteins - metabolism; Lymnaea - genetics; Lymnaea - metabolism; Lymnaea stagnalis; mRNA expression; Neuropeptides - genetics; Neuropeptides - metabolism; Phylogenetic analysis; Reproduction
• ISSN: 0016-6480; 1095-6840
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2020.113621

•The sequence of an invertebrate gonadotropin-releasing hormone was identified.•The transcript and peptide distribution were characterized in the CNS and peripheral organs.•Results suggest that this peptide is more related to corazonin and serves diverse functions. In the last years, our interpretation of the origin and function of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neuropeptide superfamily has changed substantially. A main driver for these conceptual changes came from increased investigations into functions and evolutionary lineage of previously identified molluscan GnRH molecules. Emerging evidence suggests not only reproductive, but also diverse biological effects of these molecules and proposes they should most likely be called corazonin (CRZ). Clearly, a more global understanding requires further exploration of species-specific functions and structure of invGnRH/CRZ peptides. Towards this goal, we have identified the full-length cDNA of invGnRH/CRZ peptide in an invertebrate model species, the great pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis, termed ly-GnRH/CRZ, and characterized the transcript and peptide distribution in the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral organs. Our results are consistent with previous data that molluscan GnRHs are more related to CRZs and serve diverse functions. Hence, our findings support the notion that peptides originally termed molluscan GnRH are multifunctional modulators and that nomenclature change should be taken into consideration.